Suitability of denervated muscle flaps as recipient sites for pancreatic islet cell transplantation

Background@#Extensive research has been conducted on islet transplantation as a possible cure for diabetes. Islet transplantation in the liver via the portal vein has shown remarkable results, but numerous other recipient sites are currently being investigated. We aimed to show the effectiveness of using a muscle flap as a recipient site for islet transplantation. @*Methods@#Islet cells were harvested from 12 isogenic Lewis rats, and then diabetes was induced in another 12 isogenic Lewis rats by streptozotocin injection. In six rats, 3,000 islets were transplanted into gastrocnemius muscle flaps, and in the other six rats, the same number of islets were transplanted into the gastrocnemius muscle. The transplanted islet cell function between the two groups was compared by means of blood glucose tests, glucose tolerance tests, immunohistochemistry, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. @*Results@#In the muscle flap group, blood glucose levels significantly decreased after islet transplantation. Blood glucose levels were significantly different between the two groups at 3 weeks after transplantation. The muscle flap group showed nearly normoglycemic results upon the glucose tolerance test, whereas the muscle group was hyperglycemic. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed positive results against insulin and glucagon in biopsies of both groups, and the islet cell density was higher in the muscle flap group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results. @*Conclusions@#Our results suggest that muscle flaps are promising candidates for islet cell transplantation.

Animal Skin Pigmentation Model Using Full Thickness Skin Graft in C57BL/6 Mouse

PURPOSE: Skin grafting is one of the most commonly used methods in reconstructive plastic surgery field, but complications such as color change, contracture or hypertrophy are common problems. However, pathophysiology of the color change after skin graft is not yet determined and no animal model is established. METHODS: Full thickness skin grafts were performed on the dorsum of C57BL/6 mice. Serial chronological gross inspection for color change and pigmentation were examined. Melanin pigments were traced by Fontana-Masson staining and semi-quantitative analysis was performed. In addition, immunohistochemical staining of S-100, Micropthalmia related Transcription Factor(MITF) and Melan-A antibodies were also performed to observe melanocytes and their changes. RESULTS: After skin graft, color change and pigment spots were observed in the graft. Fontana-Masson staining showed melanin pigments in the epidermal and dermal layers in all mice. Immunohistochemistry staining to S-100, MITF, Melan-A antibodies showed melanocytes at the basal layer of epidermis and dermis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we have established an animal model for skin pigmentation after skin graft. We believe this study may be useful in understanding of the behavior of melanocytes after skin graft.

Natural Curved Mandibular Angle: Mandible Angle Resection by Burring Hole Connecting Osteotomy

As Westernization has taken place in the Oriental society, people's concern focuses on the correction of their lower jaw shape. Various methods were recommended to make their mandibular angle slender and beautiful, but it was difficult to achieve natural curves as planned preoperatively. This study was conducted on 6 patients who received burring hole connecting osteotomy for mandibular angle correction from 2005 to 2007. A measurement of the most natural curved line for osteotomy was made by X-ray prior to the surgery. Through intraoral approach, three to five holes were made on the estimated angle line by burring, and the consecutive holes were connected by oscillating saw to perform the one piece osteotomy. There were no unnatural, irregular osteotomy sections or asymmetrical problems in comparison of before and after operation. All of the patients had satisfactory natural mandibular angle lines. Despite difficulties with the conventional techniques, it is possible for patients to achieve natural mandibular angle lines as they wish with the burring hole connecting osteotomy technique. In addition, it was possible to secure outstanding predictability and stability, thus resulting in satisfactory outcomes in the profile.

Usefulness of using Tissue Expander in Pediatric Patient

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of soft tissue defect using tissue expander can provide better flap which is more similar to surrounding tissue in color, skin texture and hair compared to other methods. Many pediatric patients need reconstruction of soft tissue defect because of giant congenital nevi, congenital or acquired malformations and burn scars. Reconstruction using tissue expander is adequate to minimize dysmorphism in these patients. We intended to assess outcomes of using tissue expander in pediatric patients by retrospective study. METHODS: Total cases were 168 of pediatric patients who received soft tissue reconstruction using tissue expander by the same surgeon from February, 1982 to May, 2009. All patients who received soft tissue reconstruction were under 10 years old. Mean age was 4.3 years old, the youngest 13 months, the oldest 8 years. Eighty-nine cases were male and 79 cases were female. Most common cause was giant hairy nevi (67 cases, 39.9%), secondary cause was burn scar/scar contracture (61 cases, 36.3%). Trunk (38 cases, 22.6%) was most common anatomical location. RESULTS: Soft tissue defects were successfully covered using tissue expander in 149 cases (88.7%) without major complications. There was infection on 8 cases (4.7%) and we treated by adequate antibiotics in these cases. There were tissue expander folding or valve displacement on 5 cases (3%). CONCLUSION: Usage of tissue expander is useful on pediatric patients because tissue expansion is rapid on children and there are less secondary contractures on operation site than full thickness skin graft. Because of psychological stress due to tissue expander, operation should be performed before school age.

Development of Computerized Anthropometric Analysis Model in Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity Using 3D Laser Scanned Facial Cast Model

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to develop three-dimensional computerized anthropometry(3DCA) and to compare its reliability and accuracy 3DCA with manual anthropometry(MA) for measurement of lips and nasal deformities in unilateral cleft lips and palate(UCLP) patients. METHODS: Samples were consisted of six UCLP patients whose facial plaster models were available immediately before and 3 months after the cleft lip surgery. MA of the facial plaster models was carried out using an electronic caliper. In 3DCA, three-dimensional auto- measuring program was used to digitize landmarks and to measure three-dimensional virtual facial models (3DVFM), which was generated with a laser scanner and 3D virtual modeling program. Intraclass correlation coefficients(ICC) were calculated to evaluate reliability and reproducibility of the variables in both methods, and Wilcoxon's signed rank test was done to investigate the difference in values of the same variables of facial models of each patient between two methods. RESULTS: All ICC values were higher than 0.8, so both methods could be considered reliable. Although most variables showed statistical differences between two methods(p<0.05), differences between mean values were very small and could be considered not significant in clinical situation. CONCLUSION: In clinical situation, 3DCA can be an objective, reliable and accurate tool for evaluation of lips and nasal deformities in the cleft patients.

Effect of Progesterone on Cultured Human Dermal Fibroblast

PURPOSE: The mechanism of scar formation is not fully understood. Fibroblast is an important cell in wound healing process. We experienced a patient who was taking progesterone orally. Upper blepharoplasty was performed on her but, wound healing was delayed. We hypothesized that progesterone was the cause of delayed wound healing and fibroblast proliferation inhibition. We investigated the effect of progesterone in vitro on human dermal fibroblasts to study the effects on fibroblast proliferation. METHODS: Human dermal fibroblasts from four persons were cultured initially. Progesterone is mixed to them at various concentrations, and fibroblast cell count was measured by MTT assay method at 570nm. We confirmed that progesterone has some inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation and maximal inhibitory concentration of progesterone was determined. Then fibroblasts from a total of nineteen persons were cultured and the effects of progesterone were studied. RESULTS: The initial study showed the maximal inhibitory concentration of progesterone to be 50 microgram/ml. The main study showed that progesterone had 70.9% inhibitory effect on human dermal fibroblast in vitro. CONCLUSION: Progesterone has inhibitory effect on cultured human dermal fibroblast proliferation in vitro.

Comparison of Dipogenic and Osteogenic Potentials of Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Stem Cells of Human

PURPOSE: Adipose tissue contains a population of pluripotent stem cells capable of differentiating along multiple mesenchymal cell lineages. It is well known that fat depots from different part of our body shows different nature not only in morphological aspect but also physiologic aspect. The authors compared the adipogenic potentials and osteogenic potentials of adipose stem cells from different anatomical sites of human. METHODS: After laparotomy by surgery team, the authors isolated these adipose stem cells successfully from 7 men with an average age of 58, and induced differentiation along adipogenic and osteogenic lineages in vitro. On the 14th day, cells cultured in adipogenic media differentiated into adipocytes in vitro, as evidenced by positive Oil Red O staining of lipid vacuoles. On the 21st day, cells cultured in osteogenic media differentiated into osteoblasts in vitro as demonstrated by Alizarin red staining of a calcified extracellular matrix. RESULTS: After exposure to adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation medium, subcutaneous adipose stem cells were found to possess greater adipogenic and osteogenic potentials than cells isolated from visceral adipose tissues. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that adipogenic and osteogenic potentials of adipose stem cells vary by their anatomical sites, with subcutaneous adipose stem cells exhibiting higher adipogenic and osteogenic potential than those isolated from visceral fat.

Metastsectomy a Feasible Treatment in Selected Patients with Gynecologic Malignancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

To report cases of metastasectomy for metastatic gynecologic malignancies, we reviewed the medical records of all patients who have undergone metastasectomy for metastatic gynecologic malignancies in Center for Uterine Cancer from June 2001 to October 2002. Six patients were identified with median age of 55 years (range 52-66 years). The metastatic sites and primary sites were as follows: 3 liver metastasis from ovary; 1 abdominal wall metastasis from uterus (endometrial cancer), 1 brain metastasis from ovary, 1 lung metastasis from uterus (sarcoma). The median disease free interval was 48 months (range 10 months-13 years). There was no perioperative mortality. Postoperative morbidity was tolerable with 1 case of bile leakage. In three patients with hepatectomy, one patient was dead of disease after 15 months, one patient is alive with disease at 20 months of follow up, one patient have no evidence of recurrence at 7 months follow up. The patient with brain metastasis was dead due to lung metastsis after 9 months later postoperatively. Remaining two patients with abdominal wall and lung metastasis have no evidence of tumor recurrence at 4, 7 months follow up respectively. Metastasectomy for metastatic gynecologic malignancies can be performed safely and may help prolong survival in carefully selected patients.

Correction of Vertical Excess of the Lower Face

Since Wilmar first described term "Long face", various methods have been performed to enhance features of the patients with vertical excess of face, but Kawamoto established that the sole method to correct these deformities is to shorten the height of maxilla by LeFort I osteotomy. Features of the lower long facial pattern, conveniently called "Long face syndrome", "Horse face" has following characteristics; 1) Disproportionally elingated lower half of the face. 2) Widely separated lip and visible anterior teeth. 3) Hyperactivity of mentalis muscle. 4) The smile is typically "Gummy" 5)On profile, convex dorsum of nose, and receded double bump appearance of chin. 6) Tendency of class II malocclusion. From May, 1994 to April, 1999 we have treated 6 cases of vertical maxillary excess, "Long face syndrome" patient using maxillary LeFort I osteotomy and ancillary mandibular surgery. Sometimes there were combined bimaxillary prognathi and hemifacial hypertrophies. Age varied from 22 to 31(mean 23) and follow-up period varied from 6 months to 3 years(mean 1 year). Vertical shortening, rotation of the maxilla and combined mandibular adjustment surgery resulted in good facial harmony improvement of characteristics above and satisfaction of the patient with long face syndrome.

Distraction Osteogenesis of Mandible using Short-Sagittal Osteotomy for the Patient with Hemifacial Microsomia

Since osteogenesis in the distraction site of the membranous bone has been well proved in histological studies, distraction osteogenesis of the craniofacial skeleton has become popular as an alternative to conventional orthognathic surgical procedures. Nowadays, mandibular distraction has been applied to balance the mandibular asymmetry in various methods. Bone distraction is not a new idea. The technique was already described by many other authors. One of the most important points of view in the distraction osteogenesis is effective elongation of hypoplastic mandible with preservation of the inferior alveolar nerve and tooth bud. From May 1997 to November 2000 we performed 15 distraction osteogenesis of mandible using our new short sagittal ramus osteotomy in patients with hemifacial microsomia. Our short sagittal ramus osteotomy could effectively lengthen the hypoplastic mandible and avoid the injury to the inferior alveolar nerve or tooth bud.